As many as 300,000 Canadians are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Unfortunately, 75% of them don’t know it. The virus spreads primarily through
exposure to infected blood, with intravenous (IV) drug use being the most common
source of infection in Canada.
What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the
liver. While it can be caused by several factors, a virus most often causes it.
Whatever the cause, hepatitis can be very serious because the liver is one of
the most important organs in the body. Chronic hepatitis C is one of the most
common forms of hepatitis, and it can lead to serious, permanent liver damage
and liver cancer. In some cases a liver transplant is required.
Acute vs. chronic infections Viral hepatitis can either
be an acute or chronic infection. An acute infection lasts less than six months,
and the body is able to rid the system of the virus. When a person first becomes
infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), they have acute hepatitis C.
Approximately 20% of people with acute hepatitis C will spontaneously recover.
For the remaining 80%, acute hepatitis C will develop into chronic hepatitis C.
A chronic infection lasts longer than six months, and can even last a lifetime.
Chronic infections are more serious than acute infections, and medical treatment
may be necessary to help control or eliminate the virus.
Transmission Hepatitis C is easily spread by blood. There
are many ways of being in contact with blood, and this includes blood from cuts,
nosebleeds, or even menstrual blood. Just the tiniest amount of blood on common,
everyday objects, like a toothbrush, razor, or manicure instrument, can carry
enough of the virus to infect someone. Here are important facts to know about
hepatitis C:
The risk of spreading hepatitis through normal
household contact is very low.
Oral transmission of hepatitis C has not been proven.
Breast milk, semen, urine, saliva, and tears may
contain the hepatitis C virus, but have not been shown to transmit the
disease. Women with hepatitis C can breastfeed.
When infected by the HCV, people must avoid sharing
razors, toothbrushes, or any other personal hygiene instrument that could
contain blood particles and infect another. Infected people can share bathroom
facilities.
Hepatitis C was spread through blood transfusions,
before 1990. Now every blood donation is tested.
Body piercing, snorting drugs and contaminated
intravenous needles can spread HCV.
The risk of getting hepatitis C through sexual contact
is low. However, the risk increases for people having unprotected sex with an
infected partner in a monogamous relationship or for people having unprotected
sex with multiple partners. It is recommended that hepatitis patients discuss
this issue with their doctor.
Menstrual blood is known to carry hepatitis C – women
should avoid sex during this time.
People infected with HCV must not give blood.
There is a small chance that the virus can be passed
to a newborn during childbirth.
Most people with hepatitis C can donate organs.
Symptoms Most people with hepatitis C have no outward
signs or symptoms. But others do experience “flu-like” symptoms, such as
fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness, and mild
abdominal pain. Less common symptoms are dark urine and yellowing of the skin
and eyes (jaundice).
How does hepatitis C affect the liver? First, HCV enters the blood stream,
attaches to the liver cells and begins to reproduce. Then, the liver becomes
inflamed. The inflammation causes liver cells to die. Later, in an effort to
repair itself, it forms tiny scars. This is called fibrosis. Fibrosis makes it
hard for the liver to do its job. As damage continues, many scars are formed and
they begin to join together in nodules, leading to the next stage, cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis means that large areas of the liver have become permanently scarred
from repeated damage. The liver begins to shrink in size and becomes hard.
Chronic viral hepatitis is a common cause of cirrhosis, as is alcohol
consumption. Scarring prevents blood from flowing freely through the liver,
which limits liver function.
As cirrhosis worsens, almost all liver
function is lost, which leads to liver failure. The liver is unable to clean
wastes, toxins, and drugs from the blood, and it can no longer produce clotting
factors necessary to stop bleeding. Fluid can build up in the abdomen and legs,
bleeding in the intestines is common, and eventually, mental function slows
down. By this point, a liver transplant becomes necessary.
Sometimes damage to liver cells may cause the cells to become cancerous.
Patients with chronic hepatitis C are at higher risk for liver cancer. Also,
liver cancer cells are spread through the blood to other body tissues, where the
cells can continue to grow.
Treatment Biological response modifiers, that help the
immune system fight infections, are available for the treatment of HCV
infections. In Canada, it is now recommended to treat HCV with a combination of
a biological response modifier and an antiviral to fight the virus. Combination
therapies have been extensively investigated and studied in trials and have been
authorized for the treatment of hepatitis C. They are not necessarily right for
everybody, but they can be beneficial for several patients. It is important to
discuss this with a doctor.
The information provided herein is of a general nature and is in no way
intended to replace the knowledge, assistance or diagnosis of your
physician or healthcare provider. All decisions regarding your health are
your sole responsibility and that of your physician or healthcare
provider, as the case may be. For specific guidance regarding your
personal health, we strongly advise that you consult your physician or
healthcare provider. Schering-Plough Canada cannot be held responsible
for any interpretation or misinterpretation you may make of the
information provided herein.
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